2015 - 2016 Student Registration Page
AMY WORK’S PRIVATE PIANO INSTRUCTION
****STUDIO POLICY****
September 2015 through August 2016
The overall intent of my studio policy is to bring happiness, satisfaction and success to each of my students so they may reach their full potential and become skilled musicians who will play and enjoy the piano for the rest of their lives.
My program of instruction includes the following activities:
• 31 Private Lessons for 60, 75, and 90 Minute Weekly Private Lessons
• Eight 90 Minute Theory and Performance Group Workshops – 3 during Fall Semester – 5 during Spring Semester
• Administrative Work and Judging Time
• Recital, Festival and Concert Preparation
• Theory and Sight-Reading Preparation
• Ear Training
• Improvisation
• Musicianship and Artistry Skill Preparation
• University/College Course Preparation
• Certificates and Awards
• Sight-Reading Material
TUITION FEES:
• $800 per quarter – 60 Minute Weekly Private Lessons
• $1000 per quarter – 75 Minute Weekly Private Lessons
• $1200 per quarter – 90 Minute Weekly Private Lessons
• $85 – 1 Hour Single Private Lesson
Monthly tuition is payable in advance and is due on the FIRST of every quarter (September 1st, December 1st, March 1st, June 1st). There will be a $25.00 late fee for any payment received after the 1st!
PRIVATE LESSONS: There are thirty-one private lessons scheduled throughout the calendar year. The day and time during the week will be pre-arranged with the student and parent. Sixty, seventy-five, or ninety minute sessions are available.
GROUP CLASSES: There are eight group classes scheduled throughout the calendar year. Group classes will be held Wednesdays and Thursdays of the following weeks. Please see the private and group class schedule for more details.
(NOTE: THERE ARE NO PRIVATE LESSONS THE WEEK GROUP CLASSES ARE HELD)
1. October 7-8, 2015
2. November 4-5, 2015
3. December 2-3, 2015
4. January 20-21, 2016
5. February 17-18, 2016
6. April 6-7, 2016
7. May 4-5, 2016
8. June 1-2, 2016
• Wednesday Group Classes are held from 4:00-5:30pm and 5:30-7:00pm
• Thursday Group Classes are held from 4:00-5:30pm and 5:30-7:00pm
After each student registers for the academic year, parents will be notified by email and/or phone which group class the student is scheduled to attend.
REGISTRATION FEE: Each student must register for the academic year by July 15th to confirm their lesson time for the year. Each student's registration fee is $300 and is non-negotiable and non-refundable. This covers ALL music supplies and books, recitals, festivals, non-competitive and competitive events, sight-reading and theory exams, adjudicating and administrative fees, special materials, CD’s, the Piano Explorer monthly issued magazine, group class materials, and certificates and awards given to students throughout the calendar year.
NEW STUDENTS: There is a non-refundable assessment fee of $75 for all new students at the time of their initial assessment.
MISSED LESSONS: Students will be charged for all lessons scheduled for the month. Although I am not obligated to schedule make-up classes for those missed due to non-attendance, illness, vacations, doctor appointments, or any other holiday not included in the studio calendar, I will attempt to do so at my discretion. Lessons will be made up and rescheduled only with advanced notice and/or prior arrangements. Please allow at least 2 days for me to rearrange a student's lesson time. If another student cannot exchange his/her lesson, there will be no lesson make-up or refund of tuition. In addition, if a student comes home sick from school and misses his or her lesson or a student forgets his/her lesson, there will be no refund and the lesson will NOT be made up. In the event that I cancel a lesson, the lesson will be re-scheduled.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS OR CLOSINGS: Lessons will be held as usual.
SCHEDULED HOLIDAY BREAKS - NO PRIVATE/GROUP CLASSES HELD.
Please mark your calendars!
SEPTEMBER 1-13 2015..............................................................................................LABOR DAY WEEKEND/SCHOOLS BEGIN
NOVEMBER 23-27, 2015....................................................................................................................THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
DECEMBER 19, 2015 - JANUARY 3, 2016........................................................................................WINTER SEMESTER BREAK
FEBRUARY 22-26, 2016..........................................................................................................................................OUT OF TOWN
MARCH 19-APRIL 3, 2016......................................................................................................................................SPRING BREAK
JUNE 13-JULY 10, 2016.......................................................................................................................SPRING SEMESTER BREAK
AUGUST 1-5, 2016...........................................................................................................................................SUMMER HOLIDAY
AUGUST 29-31, 2016........................................................................................................................................SUMMER HOLIDAY
NOTE: These are paid holidays; quarterly tuition will not change during these times for any reason. Tuition is calculated by each student receiving 31 private lessons and 8 group workshops throughout the calendar year. The calendar year begins September 1st, 2015 and ends August 31st, 2016. This is a yearly budget plan and tuition will not change from quarter to quarter for any reason.
During the July and August summer months, you will have to arrange lesson times accordingly. Students must attend a minimum of 6 private summer lessons in order to continue in the fall semester. If you decide to schedule fewer lessons in the summer, you must still pay the full amount of the quarterly tuition due June 1st for the July and August lessons. It is a use or lose policy.
ARRIVAL TIME: Please arrive on time for your scheduled lesson! A late arrival does not justify a late departure! If you are late to a lesson, the lesson time will not be extended. If you arrive early, please wait silently in the living room before your lesson begins. PLEASE DO NOT walk around the house.
PARENT SUPERVISION: It is not recommended that parents remain in the studio during private lessons unless the student is a very young beginner. I strongly encourage student independence, and therefore do not recommend that parents sit-in and observe the lessons. I have found that this practice prevents distractions between the student and teacher and enables the student to share ideas and be more creative throughout the lesson. Parents who wish to observe the lessons may use video equipment to record sessions to view after the lesson. For parents of young beginners wishing to observe lessons, I ask that you please observe from the living room and not in the studio.
GROUP CLASSES: Parents are not permitted in the studio during group classes. Please drop off your child(ren) at the start of class and pick them up after the 90 minute session. Thank you!
TERMINATION OF LESSONS: If lessons are terminated either by the teacher or student, a minimum of 45 days advanced notification must be given. If terminated by the teacher, the tuition paid will be prorated based upon the cost of lessons, rehearsals, and administrative time provided. If lessons are terminated by the student with less than 45 days advance notice, the full amount of the tuition is due and payable for that period of 45 days.
PERFORMANCES/WORKSHOPS: All students, when ready, are encouraged to participate in appropriate musical events. Pupils who are to perform should have their material memorized one month ahead of performance date. This is the only way to insure a confident, musical presentation. Student performance rehearsals/workshops held throughout the year are mandatory. Students must attend these rehearsals in order to participate in student recitals and festivals. They are very important and a commitment to our studio calendar. No exceptions!
PHONING HOURS: Please feel free to call me anytime if you have any questions or need to reschedule a lesson. If you cannot reach me at home (703) 327-6801, please call my cell phone at (703) 447-4826.
PARKING: To keep our pipe stem clear of traffic, PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY OR DRIVE DOWN THE PRIVATE DRIVE for any reason. Please park on Flintonbridge Drive and walk down the pipe stem to the studio.
ITEMS TO HAVE AT LESSONS
1. Assignment Binder – this is used for notes and weekly assignments given at each lesson
2. Repertoire, theory, lesson, performance, note-speller, sight-reading, technique and scale books
3. A double-pocketed folder for worksheets handed out at lessons
4. Any other worksheets handed out at lessons
MUSICAL “MUSTS”
• PRACTICE EQUIPTMENT – A good piano at home is essential for optimum progress. TUNING is to be done at least once a year and is best done during our climate’s milder seasons. If you wish, the name of a piano tuner/technician that I recommend is Richard Lowman. His number is (703) 437-6822.
• METRONOME – A super invention by Johann Maelzel (1772-1838) – is better known as MM (Maelzel’s Metronome). It never “lies” and is guaranteed to keep you on a steady rhythmical course, developing keen listening habits, as well.
• DICTIONARY – Music is a language, so searching for those strange words in a reliable dictionary assists in your interpretation. Most book or music stores carry it.
• PROPER LIGHTING – Both music and keyboards must be seen without eyestrain. Please position your piano or keyboard in an area with minimum distractions and interruptions.
• PENCIL/PEN AT PIANO – A capable tool that helps avoid headaches (yours and mine), save valuable lesson time and does wonders for noting problem spots. It allows you to annotate comments, teacher questions and practice times.
MORE MUSICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
• Trim nails.
• See that hands are clean and unsticky before coming to the studio.
• Please wash your hands, thoroughly, with soap before you have your lesson.
• Please always remove your shoes before entering the studio and place near the coat rack out of the way of the front door.
• Observe and attend all private and group lesson dates and times.
• Refer to this studio policy and website when in doubt about most things regarding your participation here.
PRACTICE TIME: YES! YES! YES! YOU DO HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF INTO THE REAL WORLD OF WORKING TO ACHIEVE! The important thing is that you sit down at the piano every single day. Even with students’ crammed schedule, the possibility of fifteen quality minutes is better than no time at all. You must practice consistently to improve and to become a better musician. It may not come naturally, so you MUST, MUST, MUST practice to fulfill and accomplish your goals and weekly assignments.
NOTE: If I see a pattern of inappropriate practice efforts, I will be forced to drop you. I am looking for serious students who are hard working and ready to achieve success. You must practice consistently, effectively and efficiently to remain a part of my studio. A minimum of 45 minutes of daily practice 5 days a week is required from students to be a member of this studio.
SET SMALL DAILY GOALS, EXPECT PROGRESS and PERSIST! THE SURPRISE WILL BE IN YOUR WANTING TO PRACTICE BECAUSE YOUR MUSICAL SUCCESS WILL AMAZE YOU, AND OTHERS!!!
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING DAILY PRACTICE PROCEDURE AS AN OUTLINE:
45 Minutes 60 Minutes 90 Minutes Practice Phase
5 Minutes 5 Minutes 5 Minutes Technical Exercises
10 Minutes 15 Minutes 25 Minutes Learning a new piece
10 Minutes 10 Minutes 20 Minutes Continued work on pieces
7 Minutes 10 Minutes 20 Minutes Memorization
7 Minutes 10 Minutes 10 Minutes Sight Reading
6 Minutes 10 Minutes 10 Minutes Review Repertoire
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45 Minutes 60 Minutes 90 Minutes Total Practice Time
The above is an organized, logical practice plan, covering multi-musicianship elements that are essential to becoming a functional, skilled and knowledgeable pianist. Illogical times do occur and you may find it necessary to take minutes from one phase and apply to another. This is called “prioritizing” and can be productive, as long as the overall musical picture is not neglected.
STUDENT AND PARENT CONTRACT – September 2015 through August 2016